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. 1972 Mar 17;175(4027):1246-8.
doi: 10.1126/science.175.4027.1246.

Carbon isotopic studies of organic matter in precambrian rocks

D Z Oehler, J W Schopf, K A Kvenvolden

Carbon isotopic studies of organic matter in precambrian rocks

D Z Oehler et al. Science. .

Abstract

Reduced carbon in early Precambrian cherts of the Fig Tree and upper and middle Onverwacht groups of South Africa is isotopically similar (the average value of delta(13)C(PDB) is -28.7 per mil) to photosynthetically produced organic matter of younger geological age. Reduced carbon in lower Onverwacht cherts (Theespruit formation) is anomalously heavy (the average value of delta(13)C(PDB) is -16.5 per mil). This discontinuity may reflect a major event in biological evolution.

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